Glassman posts unorthodox video

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rodney Glassman addresses the media after a televised debate with U.S. Sen John McCain, R-Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 in Phoenix. Glassman on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 denied allegations that his 2005 doctoral dissertation contains sentences plagiarized from other researchers. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File)

It’s not the kind of commercial you’d expect from a U.S. Senate candidate.

Underdog Democrat Rodney Glassman posted a four-minute Web video Monday in which he sings his criticism of Republican incumbent John McCain in a takeoff of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic “Sweet Home Alabama.”

“Sweet home Arizona, where the skies are so blue,” Glassman sings in the refrain. “Sweet home Arizona, John, it’s time to retire you.”

Glassman dances awkwardly as he lip syncs in front of his campaign bus and lets loose with his laundry list of complaints about the four-term senator.

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said the video is a gift to his boss’ campaign and encourages all Arizonans to watch it. “Rodney clearly doesn’t get the line with voters laughing with you and laughing at you. It’s awesome,” Rogers said.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JHQOO0p8tg[/youtube]

Glassman campaign manager Bill Romjue said Glassman has sung in bands at public events for several years and that the video was satire meant to ease some tensions of the campaign.

“It’s not part of a grand strategy,” Romjue said.

The challenger’s campaign doesn’t plan to run the spot on TV.